Today’s Reading : II Corinthians 12 

Have you ever taken a test and every question that you answer is correct?

Have you ever played a game and you were winning consecutively without losing?

Have you ever been on a “ lucky streak” where you are constantly winning? 

Sometimes these things happen to us and we question ourselves “is this real?” We then sabotage or lose our focus and the streak ends.

The world that we live in exists due to balances. Light and dark. Cold and hot. Wet and dry. There is a balance of all things that we have in our life. There is no perfection in our life.  One of the best quotes about perfection that I have read is 

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist….. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”- Stephen Hawkins 

On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – II Corinthians 12:5-10

In this chapter of Corinthians, this is one of the last pieces of advice that Paul is giving the Corinthians. He tells about his own affliction or injury or anchor to this world. Paul shows that his life had been ordered to a certain doctrine of Jewish law. In the Jewish customs, he seem to be almost perfect. Paul also references his connection with Christ after Jesus‘s resurrection and ascension into heaven. These two facts would have created him to be the “perfect“ person to deliver the message of the gospel. 

But in his travels and in his life, Paul has this affliction that has brought him insurmountable suffering. As Paul is explaining this, he is not using his pedigree or his conversion to win people over, he’s actually using the contrary. He is speaking that his affliction actually allows him to be anchored in Christ in the midst of everything. Sometimes we may feel that we are in control, but we are actually submitting to God‘s authority in our life.

Paul could’ve asked himself if all the things that were going on for him” is it real?”. He had some of the best things happening to him as a Pharisee and as a Sadducee.  He also had a great thing going by being a missionary and delivering the gospel to many. But through his affliction, he was able to sympathize and connect with others through Christ.

There have been countless times in my life where God has provided many things for me and my family. There have also been times where we have had tremendous hurt and pain. But the one constant is in the hurt and pain and in the joy and celebration, God‘s love is continuous. It is through the hurt and pain that we are able to give comfort to others. We have been able to be examples of God‘s love and of his benevolence through some of the most difficult times.

People often ask me how can I smile and be joyful in the midst of all of the hurt and pain, and my response is God‘s love. I’ve seen the abyss and God‘s love has been the bright beacon of light that has allowed me to continue to share his love with others.

Sometimes we question “Is this is real?”Sometimes we are going through extreme highs and the feeling is undeniable.  Sometimes we experience tragic lows in the feeling is indescribable. But through all of the feelings, through all of the challenges and exhilaration, we can rely on God‘s love. This love will help us to continue to love others and to love ourselves in any circumstance.

Be blessed 

Today’s Reading: II Corinthians 2

I’m sorry. 

I apologize. 

Can you forgive me? 

Two of the most challenging things that we can ask for ourselves and others to do is:  apologize and forgive.  

These two things take a level of maturity and understanding that cannot be comprehended until later in life. As an adult man, it’s hard for me to acknowledge my failure and to make amends for those.  Even though I cannot count each time that I have intentionally and intentionally harmed someone,  I attempt to reconcile. 

In our passage today, Paul is writing the second letter to the Corinthians.  One new nugget of wisdom and insight that I was revealed was he is apologizing for his tone in the previous letter and asking the congregation to forgive someone high in the church. He is asking for forgiveness ( apologizing) and he is also asking the church to forgive someone else. 

“And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When we apologize we have to understand that we have offended someone. Sometimes it is evident in the way that we have hurt someone… we have spoken to them in a harsh manner; our tone was too rough; or we have inflicted an injury in a way that you can see pain in the other person.  Sometimes it is subtle to us such as a slight phrase or word that injures the person.  I have been guilty of both forms.  As I grow, I have become more aware of my own actions and attempt to right my wrongs as soon as possible. 

Apologies have to originate with the offender. It is on them to create the apology and the understanding that they were wrong in the matter.  Sometimes the offender has to be made aware of your offense by the other party. Sometimes this is really hard for both parties to understand and reconcile with each other. But in the end, the offender is asking for amends. 

“Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭7‬, ‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Forgiveness is where the offended acknowledges the harm and hurt that was done to them and they have made amends with themself. This then releases the offended person from any anguish , anger, or malice to the person.  The forgiver doesn’t necessarily forget any of the ordeal, yet they chose to move from being a victim to becoming a victor in their self care. 

Both of these acts can be very challenging if we were trying to do them without God’s help. This is why it is a vital part of the Lord‘s prayer.

“and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We will offend and be offended, but with God’s love we are able to reconcile to each other and find peace.  

May we enter this week with hearts and eyes open to give grace and mercy in apologizing and forgiving each others.  

Be blessed 

 

Today’s Reading: I Corinthians 16 

As we recognize and celebrate our father’s and father–figures, I see this message of Paul’s as a father‘s blessing to his children.

Over my lifetime, there have been many times when I have gone on a voyage or gone away to college and I would have conversations with my father and then we were start our goodbye before the departure.

Many times this will start in the house in one room. Then we would say our goodbyes and then proceed to the front room of the house. Then in the front room, we will have another conversation for about 2 to 5 minutes. Then we say our goodbyes. Next, we would go out to the car and spend another 2 to 5 minutes speaking about another subject. Then we say our goodbyes and give our hugs. So the full goodbyes take about 20 minutes or so.

These times that we saying goodbye are those lasting memories that you have with that person. You save for each moment because you never know when it might be the last.

Over my life, I have had several memories of last conversations of my loved ones. I remember the last conversation with my grandmother that was over 22 years ago. I remember my last conversation with my wife’s grandfather which was over 11 years ago. I remember each of the conversations I’ve had with my mother and my father and my in-laws over the last several years. We are still fortunate to have our parents, but each time that we leave them, I embrace and remember the last final words and blessings that they give us. In this last chapter of Corinthians, we can see that Paul is giving these blessings and pieces of knowledge to the next people.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come…

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go…

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost …

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am….  

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity… 

Let all that you do be done in love….  

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord…

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you…

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬, ‭14‬, ‭17‬, ‭19‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

With these blessings that we received from Paul let us also remember the blessing that we communicate with others. Now that I am a father as well, I try to give small nuggets of wisdom each time my kids go on a trip or away from me for a period of time. Each one of these times I remember their face, their hug, and their smell.

I have learned not to take goodbyes and hellos for granted. I have learned that these special moments, even though they might take a moment to do these could be the things that last for a lifetime in my memory.

Lord allow us to be with you and be with others in our most vulnerable spots. Allow each of the conversations that we have to be meaningful and to be remembered. Allow us to enjoy each other as if each moment could be our last. May you continue to smile upon us and give us grace and give us peace. Amen.

Be blessed.

 

Today’s Reading: Psalm 29

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ascribe literally translates to : Write this down.

Write this down …. Write this down…. Write this down.

This is only stated when something important is happening.  This is the call to attention that needs to remembered and transmitted to everyone.

How important is it to write things down?  During the last year of college, while taking a graduate level mathematics course; I learned how to pay attention and write things down. The class consisted of only five people. The professor walks in and starts to write on the board. Everyone around me starts to write in their notebook. I was listening to him and paying attention.  The professor filled the entire board in less than five minutes. He spoke to the class for two minutes. He turned around and erased everything that he wrote. He then he began to start writing again. I did not get the memo that I needed to write everything down, so I started to feverishly write all the notes that he was giving me. It taught me not take for granted anything that was told to me, it may not be repeated. Now,  I am a prolific note taker.

In this psalm , David is telling everyone the magnitude in the magnificent of the spirit of God. He even references the first part of Genesis in this psalm…

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

David also tell the power and gentleness of God the Spirit

“The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!””

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭4‬-‭7‬, ‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

With this might and power of the Spirit, David shows the true mission of the Spirit…

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It’s not just trying to tell us what and how the spirit of God works, but he also is telling us that when we allowed to Spirit to work and move in us that he is given us peace and strength and all the things that we do. This is the true mission of the Spirit is to show God‘s awesomeness in everyday life. This shows how the love that God gives provides strength and peace to us to overcome all things.

Be blessed

 

Today’s Readings: Romans 10

Attempting to digest Romans is challenging.  There are so many different ideas that Paul is attempting to convey to the Romans with the history of the Jewish faith and this new concept of Christ atonement for every one.  One of the best ways that I can think of how to describe the theme of Chapter 10 is directions from a father for a project.  

The Law would be similar to a father giving instructions to the child about a project.  When directing the child about the project the father gives specific instructions to the child.  You can give simple or very specific examples and illustrations for the project.  The directions can even have step by step pictures that show all of the intricacies of how to complete the project.  Then the father leaves the child to complete the project.  The Father will come and check in with the child, but the child is attempting to complete the project independently.  This child is not a youth, but an adult.  The child has the ability to complete the project independently.  

With the Blood of Christ, the project is more like the father and the child working on the project together.  They both have the instructions and illustrations, but they are working together.  The relationship of this couple is different from the previous.  The Father is connected with the child and both are able to see the progress of the project.  With this situation,  the Father can give in the moment direction and encouragement.  The Blood of Christ allows the relationship to be reconnected with the father and the child. 

When the Law was given,  it was instructions to the people of Israel.  The people of Israel were given multiple commandments and were given helpers, in the prophets, to help them to get to heaven and absolve their sins.  But God understood that they were not able to help themselves and sent Christ to reconnect the people, the people of Israel and all the of the world, back to Himself.  

My prayer is that we continue to remember that we are in relationship with God and able to have him with us daily. We don’t have to attempt to complete the project with only the instructions, the Law or the book, but we have the ability to access our Father to help and continual support and instructions daily to be more like him.  Be blessed. 

 

Today’s Reading: Psalms 25

As we celebrated Easter yesterday, I can’t help but to think about what the disciples were thinking and experiencing.

On Thursday, they were having a Passover feast with their teacher and Rabbi and then they saw him arrested and heard that he was crucified. They thought this was the End of everything. 

John and Peter saw Christ brutally, beaten and crushed, and then executed through the crucifixion. They experienced the End of everything. Their hearts were broken.

On Sunday morning, both Peter and John go to the tomb and witness that he had risen. They were questioning themselves was that the End or was this the Beginning of something amazing.

A couple days ago, as we were preparing for Good Friday, my daughters were engaged in questions and wanted to know the reason behind Good Friday and the naming of it. They’re asking why is Good Friday called “Good”?  I informed her that it was good that Christ completed his mission of life to reconcile us back to God, and allow us to have the ability to speak to God directly. The sacrifice of Christ allowed us to reconnect with God through the Holy Spirit. 

The next question was “ if Good Friday was the end of Christ where was the beginning? Does God have a daddy? “ These profound questions from my 11-year-old and nine-year-old allow me to look at the complexity  of God and Christ. 

We see the beginning of our relationship with God through the death of Christ. We also see and witness the all of God and the creation of all things. So is it just the beginning or is this the end? Or is this the end or is it the beginning of our relationships? It seems that we are on a continuum where each day ends and the new day begins.

In the psalms 25, we are also at a continuum where we are visiting with David in the latter days of his life. David is questioning his future at the same time, he is asking forgiveness for his past. 

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Psalms 25: 4-7

We are constantly asking for insight into what to do next, but at the same time we are stuck in the past.

God through Christ has shown us that he is independent of time and that he loves us despite all of our difficult circumstances. God sees us in the completeness of who we are. Throughout our circumstances, we can grow in HIm more. It is when we have the struggles in our past, that allows us to lean into Christ through the Holy Spirit. So through our living, we are continuously engaged with him.

Is this the end or the beginning? The answer is yes.  We are constantly becoming renewed daily with our relationship with God the Father through Christ, God the Son, and the beauty of God the Spirit. May we enjoy this Easter season with renewed how that all of our past transgressions have been forgotten and live with more intention to be a reflection of God’s Love.

 

Today’s Reading : Acts 26

Living is hard. 

Doing what is required is hard.

 Attempting to live your best is hard. 

Throughout many struggles and challenges life can be difficult. In these situations we can give up or we can tap into the special gift of life that God has given us. 

The special gift is known as the Holy Spirit, we are able to withstand all of the pressures of life and lean heavily into the Holy Spirit, which is God the spirit. We have received this gift from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ was crucified, his blood allowed for the reconnection of our spirit and God the spirit. This reconciliation allows us to manifest or hold the Holy Spirit in our person. When we are in a relationship with God and allow the spirit to grow in us, then we can be a reflection of God. When we are a reflection of God, others can see God in us.

Over the last several weeks and blogs one thing that is constant is being a reflection of God’s love to the world. In Stephen’s confession and his presentation we see that Stephen was showing the face of an angel.

And Stephen, full of [b]faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8-10;15

  

In Acts 16,  we are reminded to be reflections of Christ by loving God and loving others through Paul, Timothy, and Silas in the jail.   In today’s reading Acts 26, we are shown how to be confident in our faith and showing others through our actions and life how to be more like Christ and showing Gods Love unconditionally. 

4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?

Acts 26:4-8

A while ago, I read an antidote about spilling coffee. In the story, a person has a cup of coffee and somebody bumped into them. When the person bumped into them, the coffee spills out. The moral of the story is what’s in your cup is what will come out. When we understand that God is in us and we cultivate God in us, then when life happens God can spill out.  Others will see the God in you. 

God, allow us to be reflections of you in our daily walk. 

Today’s Reading : Acts 6

My apologies, I wrote on the Acts 16 a couple of weeks ago instead of Acts 6.  Here is the post for Acts 6. – Be Blessed.

Compromise is defined by Britannica as a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute.  Delegation is defined as the act of transferring authority and responsibility for tasks to another person. It can also refer to a group of people chosen to represent others.  

In the very beginning of Acts, we are given a narrative of how the church began. This is the beginning of the Christianity faith and  so many things were happening at such a rapid pace. Jesus has been resurrected. Jesus spent time with the people for 40 days after his resurrection. Then the Apostles, who were the closest of the disciples to Jesus, also known as the 12, began to spread the gospel throughout the region. There was so much rapid growth that the main focus was to expand the Gospel.

In the previous chapters in Acts, we see how the people are growing in the word of God and how they are forming the community. They’re showing how the love for each other takes precedence over selfishness. In the previous chapter, we see how the spirit of God is everywhere and cannot be deceived. It shows how to be truthful, even when you are not wanting to give everything but just be truthful. This was seen with and Ananias and his wife,Sapphira.

As in Acts 6, Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the newness of our journey, sometimes we forget about the small things. The small things are the foundation of what we do: taking care of the widows, the orphans, and the sick are the foundations of : love our neighbor and the mosaic religion. 

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

As the new religion is starting, we forgot about our widows and were reminded of this by the other religions, because they took care of our people. The founding Apostles were able to be in unison with the Holy Spirit and devise a compromise for this oversight. 

They created a delegation of deacons and elders that would take the responsibility of caring for our most vulnerable population. The deacons/elders are:  St. Stephen, St. Phillip, Prochours, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.  These individuals were chosen because of their dedication to the faith and the church.  These individuals went on to become bishops and martyrs for the Christian church.  

At the time of beginning of the new church, this could have been a time filled with confusion and chaos, but the Holy Spirit allowed the leaders of the early church to make sound decisions and delegate with purpose the delicate task of protecting and nurturing proper individuals. 

There are many times in my life when chaos and confusion attempt to take over. There are times I’m trying to find compromise and delegation and it is very difficult. But from this chapter, I’m reminded that the Holy Spirit when invited can erase all confusion and chaos and bring harmony back to the basics.

Throughout this coming week, can we find the chance to ask the Holy Spirit to ease the chaos and confusion in our lives. And where this chaos and confusion is that the Holy Spirit gives us an ability to compromise and delicate the task to make it easier for us to show God‘s glory.

Be blessed.

Today’s Reading: Acts 16 

Have you ever had a time where you wanted to say something but you didn’t?

Have you ever had a time where you wanted to do something but didn’t?

Have you ever had a time where you did something that you didn’t want to do but was compelled to?

There have been many times I have wanted to do certain things, but I don’t. There have been times when I don’t want to do something, and then I am compelled to do these things. In these interactions I believe that is being in tune with the  Holy Spirit.

Throughout the 16th Chapter of Acts, Paul is led by the spirit of God to act or to abstain from actions.

Paul was excited to gain a new partner in the mission, Timothy. If he had gone to his accord, he would’ve alienated some of the people he was trying to connect with. He waited for the direction of God to prepare Timothy for his mission and his journey as well.

“Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn’t offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.

Paul wanted to go in a  certain direction to continue his mission, but the Spirit of God showed him a different path

“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. “

“Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. “

Paul being in the presence of the Holy Spirit, stops the potential for the conflict and the confusion that the slave girl could make for the overall  mission. During this time, the public opinion of the Christians is sensitive and this propagation from this other spirit,  could’ve made it worse for the overall mission of Christ.

“One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that. “

Paul was led by the spirit to be silent when the crowd beat them. Paul was also led by the spirit to be still when the chains were dropped off of their feet and the doors of the jail were open. Paul by being obedient to the spirit, Paul was able to show God‘s mercy and show God’s power to the jailer and to the community in Philippi.

“Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose. Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭6‬-‭10‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬, ‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Over the course of this portion of Paul’s journey, Paul allows the spirit to lead him and guide him. He was allowing the spirit to direct him to speak or not to speak. Paul is allowing the spirit to allow him to move or not move. Paul was at the Surrendered authority to the Holy Spirit.

As we are in the presence of God and as we connect with him, our goal is to be more like Paul. Our goal is to surrender our actions to the Will of God. In my journey, I have allowed my spirit to go to the Will of God sometimes. I am still actively in this journey to be more like Christ. I am actively asking God to allow me to surrender to him more. I am trying to be more vulnerable to the spirit less acting on my wants and needs.

As we enter into this Lenten season, how can we allow ourselves to be more in the presence of God to allow him to use us for his glory and for his kingdom.

 

Lynden McGriff